
Top 5 Best Hikes in Tanzania

Philip is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many guidebooks, including the Bradt guides to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa.
Tanzania is well known as one of Africa’s very best safari countries. But it also ranks among the continent’s most popular hiking destinations, thanks largely to the presence of snowcapped Mt Kilimanjaro, a bucket-list attraction for most dedicated climbers and peak baggers. Other world-class hikes in Tanzania include the climb up Mt Meru, the nighttime ascent of the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, and the lushly beautiful Empakaai Crater.
Hike to Uhuru Peak, Mt Kilimanjaro
This is the big one. Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain, and the multiday ascent to Uhuru Peak is undoubtedly the most iconic hike in Tanzania or indeed anywhere on the continent. Kilimanjaro is also the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, and its summit is the highest that can be reached without technical skills or experience. That doesn't mean that climbing this dormant volcano is easy. Subzero temperatures and high altitudes make Kilimanjaro a demanding hike, but the sense of achievement and exhilaration associated with standing proud on the Roof of Africa are second to none.
Descend to the Base of Empakaai Crater, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
One of northern Tanzania’s most underrated scenic highlights, this 8km-/5mi-wide volcanic caldera resembles a smaller version of Ngorongoro Crater, but without the crowds. A steep footpath snakes down forested cliffs to the crater floor, where an emerald lake is tinged pink by large flocks of flamingo. Other wildlife includes buffalo, bushbuck, blue monkey and even the occasional elephant. In clear weather, the crater rim offers tremendous views to Ol Doinyo Lengai and Lake Natron.
Mt Meru Ascent, Arusha National Park
Overshadowed in most respects by Kilimanjaro, Africa’s fifth-highest mountain provides a scenic backdrop to Tanzania’s Northern safari circuit capital Arusha. A dormant volcano, Mt Meru is also a popular goal for multiday Tanzania hikes, both in its own right and as an acclimatizer for Kilimanjaro. The views over the semi-collapsed caldera toward Kilimanjaro are stunning, and wildlife is plentiful.
Climb Volcanic Ol Doinyo Lengai, Lake Natron
Ol Doinyo Lengai, a Maasai name meaning ‘Mountain of God’, is an active volcano set in the Rift Valley floor close to Lake Natron. It has erupted on several recent occasions, and the crater encloses a stark but otherworldly landscape of ash cones, lava pools and steam vents. The ascent is possibly the most demanding of day hikes in Tanzania. The barren, shadeless slopes are brutal in the heat of the day, for which reason most people climb at night, and the steep descent can be tough on the joints.
Day Hike, Mt Kilimanjaro
For those who can’t afford the time, effort or expense of a full Kilimanjaro climb, a day hike on the lower slopes is a great way to get close-up views of the snowcapped peak. Several options are available, but our favorite is the Shira Day Trail, which runs through a flat tract of Afro-alpine moorland at a breathtaking average altitude of 3,500m/11,480ft.
Best Time for Hiking in Tanzania
Climatically the best times of year for climbing Kilimanjaro, and for most other hikes in Tanzania, are June to October and January to February when it is drier. June to October tends to be the warmer of the two periods, which is a bonus on Kilimanjaro, but January and February are likely to be quieter in terms of other tourists. Tanzania hiking conditions, especially on Kilimanjaro, are less than ideal in the wetter months of March to May and November to December. If you climb Kilimanjaro during these months, use the Rongai Route, which approaches the summit from the drier northern slopes.

Philip is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many guidebooks, including the Bradt guides to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa.
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